Egg carton



March 11, 1952 J. A. OREILLY EGG CARTON 3 Sheets-Sham l Filed Dec. 6, 1949 Smnentot l JOSEPH O /QE/L Y (ltiorneg EGG CARTON Filed Dec. 6, 1949 Gttorneg Patented Mar. 11, 1952 NITED STAT. ES 'PAT EN T O FF l CE '2,588,936 nos. CARTON Joseph A. IOReilly, Bellingham, Wash.

Application December 6, 1949., Serial No. z131,345

6 Claims.

This -inventionlrelates to cartons of the multicellular types, such as those designed for the packaging of eggs and which are most generally made from a single strip of heavy paper, cardboard, or the like, that is cut, scored, folded and joined in such manner to form a carton that may be Il atly collapsed for storage until its time of use, andtmay then be easily and quickly set up, either by mechanical means, or by hand, for the reception of eggs in the cells thereof.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved carton of the above stated character;- tlpie improvements residing more particularly in the means for insuringgreater safety to the contained eggs; for manufacturing expediency and for economy of material. The advantages of the present construction reside in Providing theV carton witlra succession of spaced, transverse partition forming, strips, and with intermediate cushioning strips at a lowerlevel, on which latter the eggs are supported in the cells, spacedfjnroni the top and' bottom walls3of the carton. Also Athere being a longitudinal'dviderstrip assembledwith the partition and cushion strips;A to dividethe spaces, asY set oi'between the parti- 2 forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a atview of a blank as cut -and scored for the formation of tlie present 'carton therefromt Fig. 2 is a view of the same, showing one end portion of the blank folded back upon the medial portion thereof as the st 'step in the making of the carlton from the prepared blank.,

Figs.` 3 and 4, are edge views of the prepared blank, after the first andl Secd folding perations, respectively.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the carton' body, a`s formedby adjusting the folded blankiroin a collapsed eonditioii` o`f 4 to set up o'ldi-l ti'on, preparatory to receiving"` the divider stripVA therein.

Fig-.71' i`s` a. Vertical Section ori line 1 1,- i'n Fig. 5".

Figi. 8'i`s-l a1 horizontal section,- on the line 82-'8 in Fig; 5.-. l

Fig. 9` is; a vertical' section on une" 9*-9 in Figrw.

Fig: 1Z0 i'sl alpers'pectiveview of the carton' as erected fand-l'readytbreceiye the divider strip.`

tioniorming strips, into two cells each; the divider strip being, designed for interlocking both withtthe transverse partition forming strips and with theeushioning stripsgfor, the vfunctional sup.-

portf of thelatter,` and'rforwthe positive holding.`

otthe cartongagainst collapse while in use.

It Ais1', also an` object` of this invention. Vto pro.` vide, in'lprovements.l particularly f in` the mannerV of slitting, cutting'and scoring the body :blank for.

the. deiining and `formation of :partitionewalls and the., cushi oning strips and to make possibleranI easy, manual or mechanical edgewise ,turningV of` tlie` partition strips, and vthe downwardI offsetting'l therefrom of the. cushioning strips :upon erection orrsettingupl. of vthe carton :forapplicationof 'thel dindes-.Strip there@A resi sin {themanner of outing,rv scoring and fold` objectsofthe invention,A I have provided the proved. u; detailS. of .f construction,A the r preferred Morespeciiically stated, lthe present invention" aahlank .ta-form ,the vcarton body "and the f various L, transverse;- partitions` and' cushioning'` strips thereoff and to provide those details'loff construction that-makepossible th'e'easy assem- Fig; 1`l'L isl ai similar view'V showing theA divider strip as applied;`

Eig. 12is=anxeievatioriofacarton; with apart ofrtne: front wan and locking nap broken' away for-fwbetter'shovvin'g o'f tlie support' of an egg in acelll Referring morein detail to" the drawings;

IhJEig? 11, l If haveshbwp Carton, i designated varius'novelfeaturs ofthe present invention ousistrip:ofimaterialA such as" heavy paper or f cardboard-il Such" alstripormaterial," WhichI Fig. 1 by reference numeral 2, and it is shown therein tobe" scoredA and cut ina'specific'manner, so`that it may then beglued and folded, for exlample asA in Figlia-andV vflat stacked for storage untiltlni'e of use; Then, the at or vcollapsedl carton 'may -be-"set up to formthe ready for use carton ioffFig". 1.'y In'this form the carton coni-V -i5`rises=oppositefsidewalls Siand Il, a fiat bottoniy 5 anda cover forming portion 6 that is formed along its free edge with a locking flap 1.

Referring more particularly to the carton forming blank 2 as shown in Fig. 1: Itis observed that the blank is rectangular in form and is transversely scored from edge to edge for bending by straight lines indicated at Ill, II, I2 and I3 and I4. The locking flap 'I is set oi at the left hand end of the blank bythe line of scoring I0. That portion of the blank that is to form the cover 6 of the carton is set olf between the lines of scoring I and II; that portion that is to form the side wall 3 is set off between the lines of scoring II and I2; that portion that is to form the bottom 5 is defined between the lines I2 and I3;v.th'at portion that is to form the side wall-4 is set off between the lines I3 and I 4, and the remaining portion of the blank, that is spanned by the bracket I5 in Fig. 1, is utilized vin the formation of the partition forming'and the cushioning strips, and an end strip for glued securement to the wall 3 after the blank has been folded to position of Fig. 4, as presently explained.

In the making of a carton of the present kind for holding six eggs, it is necessary that it shall have four cross walls, to form three transverse compartments, as shown in Fig. l0, and that there shall be three cushioning strips. 'Ihe application of the longitudinal division strip to the carton in the intended manner, as has been shown in Fig.` 11, divides the three transverse compartments into six cells.

Referring now more particularly to the blank 2 as seen in Fig. 1, it is to be observed that the end portion thereof set oi between the transverse line of scoring I4 and right hand end edge of the blank is formed with six parallel, equally spaced cuts or slits, these being parallelralso to the side edges of the blank. At their right hand ends, as seen in Fig. l, or at the left hand ends in Fig. 2, the cuts 20 terminate in alignment near the end edge of the blank. At their opposite ends the cuts terminate approximately in the score line I4. However, it is to be noted in Fig. 1 that, starting with the cut 20 nearest the top edge of the blank, the left hand end portions of alternate cuts terminate in angularly inclined portions 23'. The strips of material that are thus set olf between the longitudinal edges of the blank and the succession of cuts 2IJ dene the transverse partition forming and the cushion forming strips. The

three cushion forming stripsare each designated` by reference numeral 22. The four partition forming strips are each designated by numeral 23.

It is to be noted also in Fig. l that the right hand end ,limits of those strips'of material 22 from which the egg supporting cushions are to be formed, are defined by lines of scoring 25.

These lines are located in exact transverse align` ment across the adjacent end of the blank. The` The left hand end limitsof the partition forming portions of strips 23, as seen in Fig. 1, terminate in the transverse line of scoring I4, while the other end limits of the partition forming portion forming strips, in coincidence with the lines 4 ned between the lines I2 and I3. Each partition forming strip 23 is formed at opposite end limits, as established by the scoring 28 and line I4, with a slot 3U, directed perpendicularly thereinto from its top edge and extending half way to the bottom edge of the strip. Also, each partition forming strip 23 is formed at opposite ends with slits 3 I-3I that are directed inwardly and downwardly at about a 30 angle from the ends of the top edges of the partition forming strips, to the central longitudinal center line of the strip, and lines of scoring 35 extend from the inner ends of these slits 3| at opposite ends of the strips. outwardly to the lines I4 and 28. Also, cuts 36 and 36'V are formed at the opposite ends of the partiof scoring I4 and 28 between the outer ends of the cuts`35 and the lower ends of the next lower cuts 20', reference being had to Fig. l.

Shallow notches 40 are cut in the oppositejedges cf the cushion strips 22 midway of their opposite ends as defined between lines of scoring 25 and 26. and crossed cuts 42 are formed in these cushioning strips at locations halfway-between their ends and the line of notches 40.

Preparatory to folding the blank, 2, after being prepared as seen in Fig. l, those portions ofthe three strips 22, which are between the lines of scoring I4 and 26 may, if desired, have glue spotted thereon, as indicated at 45. Then that end portion of the blank, within the bracket I5 of Fig. l, is folded back, along the transverse line I4, onto the medial part of the blank,- as Yhas been shown in Fig. 3, and the glue carrying parts of the strips will be flatly engaged against that underlying portion of the blank which later com prises the side wall portion 4. After -the first folding operation, which has been shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the end portion of the back turned length f the blank, is then given a glue linev 46 close along the edge of the strip as shownY in Fig. 2, and extended if desired, into the strips 22 as at 46.13. Finally, the left-hand end portion of the blank is folded back, over the inwardly folded opposite Vend portion, as in Fig. 4, andthe glued against an abutment, pressure toward the left is applied against the right hand end portion, inI

the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4, and this `pressure causes the side wall forming parts oi the blank to hinge upwardly along the scored lines I2 and I3, which are at the locations I2'ry and l3nt in Figs. 4 and 5, thus to cause the parts that constitute the sidewalls 3 and 4, bottoniv wall 5 and partition strips to form the rectangular body of Fig. l0. It is to be explained, however, that in this operation of setting up the carton, the' strips 22 which are to form the n cushion strips,` are caused to be bent'along the tionsare dened by lines of scoring 28 directed transversely across the strips. ing 28 are spaced from the line I4 a distance that is equal to the width of the bottoni wall u, as ce- The lines of scorlines of scoring 26and 25 while strips 23 are This will be accomplished automatically by reason of the fact that.

bentionlines i4 and 28.

the end portions of strips 22,sho'wn in Fig. 1 to be between lines of scoring I4 and lines 26, will parts of strips 23 outside of lines 28 will be glued broughtinto the sarnabut lower leve as iniFigLl. After the carton has been erected' he conditionof Figs 5 and 10," the'partition forming strips 23 'are 'hinged fromA horizontal position `of Fig.' 1 0 to verticalposition of Fig: ll'and are held in this latter position by th application of the longitudinal partition stripthereto.

The longitudinal partition strip 'is shown in Fig.`6 to" comprise a` A'single strip of cardboard having a length equal'to thelength of the carton and a width that i's substantially equal tothe depthof the carton. The strip isfcrmed along its lower edge with deep cut slots/l leading directly upwardly thereinto; these` slots being slightly flared at their lower ends to facilitate the application of the strips. Between the slots, 5l, which are spaced in accordance with spacing of the partition walls 22, are upwardly formed recesses 52,,ai'1d these haveV notches 5 3-53 cut in their opposite side walls at the saineY horizontal partition strips 23 are each "turned from horip Zontal positionto vertical position by bending the material along the scored lines causing the edges of the partition strips that contain the notches to be swung upwardly and the unnotched edges to be swung downwardly. The division strip 59 is then applied lengthwise of the carton in such manner that the downwardly opening notches 5t of the strip and the upwardly opening notches 33 of the partition strips are intertted, as seen in Figs. l1 and 12. When the division strip is thus applied, the lower edge of strip 50 will be close to the bottom wall of the carton, and the cushioning strips will be received within the recesses 52 and the edge notches 40 thereof will be seated in the notches 53-53 of the opposite edges of the recesses 52. The position of the cushion strips 22 when properly applied to the notches 52 has been indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 6 and 9.

It is to be explained further that the applying of the division strip 50 as illustrated, causes the partition strips 23 to be held in vertical positions as shown. Also, when the partition strips are so held, the depending, triangular corner` portions thereof, designated by reference character f in Figs. 1, 3 and 13, and set off by the cuts 20 and shown in the blank of Fig. 1, will engage along their vertical edges with the inside surface of wall 3 and will hold the carton against return toward the ilattened condition of Fig. 4.

With the carton blank so formed, and the blank folded and secured as described, the collapsed carton may be easily, and quickly erected from condition of Fig. 4 to condition of Fig. 10. Then by turning the partition strips vertically and applying the division strip 50 thereto, the carton will be held against collapse. The cushion strips remain in horizontal position supported intermediate their ends by interengaging with the recessed lower edge portions of the strip 59 as in Fig. 9.

The two rows of cells of the carton, that are dened between the partition strips and at opposite sides of the division strip, receive the eggs as has been shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Eggs, so located, will rest at their lower ends on the slitted portions of the cushion strip, and will be held free of the bottom wall of the carton. The cross slitting, e2, of the cushion strips compensate for inning. effect.

eggs of different size, and gives additional cushfI'he closing""f thecarton'is acorp s by folding.` the cover portion 6 .downoverthe top of the carton body. The locking stri with hooks Eiland these are arran dfto be engaged with the triangularfportions le which are attached to wall, '4 `and separatedfrom the strips 23 by the diagonalfcuts 3|, andwhich remain 4in horizontal position when the partitionstripsare .folded to verticalposition.V Having Vthus described my invention, what I "claim as new, therenand, desire to` SCClllIe-fby Letters Patent, is;U l 1., A cellular carton comprising a blank that is scored and 1 folded. to forni .aback` wall,VV a front wall,` a bottoinand a horizontaltop panel; y.the panel ,being divided `'into a succession oftransverse .stripspfalternatef strips bei n g. vertically turned to form' partitions rthat define as uceession of cell spaces, along the carton, land the other strips being offset downwardly from the plane' of fthepa'nel to provide ,bottoms for the said cellspaces; said latter strips being. supported s-pa'fi'ied from the ,carton bottom..

`2. A collapsible `cellular carton of the characterv described comprisingablank tha't is. s, cored and foldedto form, a back wall, fafront. wall, a bottom and a top panel; the latter` Vbeing L cut to denne a succession of transverse strips; alternate strips being vertically turned from the panel to denne a succession of cell spaces along the carton, and the other strips being oiset downwardly from the plane of the panel to provide bottoms for the corresponding cell spaces; said latter strips being spaced from the carton bottom, a divider strip applied to the carton lengthwise thereof; said strip having slots therein opening to its lower edge, each receiving a partition strip therein, and having means at its lower edge to interlock with the corresponding cushioning strips for their support.

3. A collapsible cellular carton of the character described comprising a blank that is scored and folded to form a back wall, a front wall, a bottom and a top panel; the latter being cut to denne a succession of transverse strips; alternate strips being vertically turned from the panel to denne a succession of cell spaces along the carton, and the other strips being offset downwardly from the plane of the panel to provide bottoms for the corresponding cell spaces; said latter strips being supported free from the carton bottom, said partition strips each having a slot therein opening to its top edge; and a divider strip applied lengthwise of the carton, having slots opening to its lower edge, interengaged with the slots of the partition strips to retain the divider in upright position and the partitions in definite spacing, and having recesses in its lower edge supportingly containing the cushioning strips intermediate their ends.

4. A cellular carton comprising a blank of strip form that is scored and folded to form a back wall, a bottom, a front wall and a top panel that extends from the top edge of the :front wall to the back wall and then downwardly therealong and is secured to the said back wall along its lower edge; said top panel being cut transversely between the front and back walls to denne partition forming and cushioning strips in alternating relationship along the carton; said partition forming strips being cut at their ends and hinged and turned vertically to define cell spaces between them and the cushioning strips being downwardly offset into a plane that is below the plane of the partition strip and above the bottom for the support of eggs thereon as retained in the cell spaces.

5. A cellular carton comprising a continuous, rectangular strip of cardboard or the like, that is scored transversely and folded at the lines of scoring to form a container comprising a cover portion, a back wall, a bottom, a front Wall that is of substantially lesser height than the back Wall, and a top panel that continues horizontally from the top edge of the front wall to the back wall, terminating in a downturned flange that extends to the bottom and which flange is secured along its lower edge to the back wall;- said top panel being formed with spaced, parallel cuts that extend lengthwise of the blank, to dene a succession of partition forming strips alternating with cushioning strips; said partition forming strips being so cut adjacent the back and front wall as to provide hinges on which they are' turned vertically edgewise to i'lt at their ends between said walls and to define cell spaces between them; said cushioning strips being scored across their ends and folded at the lines of scoring, into a plane downwardly offset from the level of the partition strips, and in spaced relationship to the carton bottom to form bottoms for the cell spaces, and a division strip applied to said cell spaces and formed with slits extended vertically thereinto from its lower edge, containing the top edge portions of the partition strips therein and there being recesses in the lower edge portion of the partition strip, supportlngly containing the cushioning strips therein.

6. A structure as recited in claim 5 wherein the top edges of the partition strips are formed with vertical slits that are inter-engaged with the slits of the division strip, and said recesses of the division strip are notched at opposite sides to provide supporting shoulders seating the opposite edges of the cushioning strips therein.

JOSEPH A. OREILLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNTTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,906,337 Rutledge May 2, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 506,325 Great Britain May 25, 1939 

